Should I Breed a Dog in the Morning or Evening?

A successful litter is the result of both knowledge and timing.

Time of Day Doesn't Matter

Veterinarians and other breeding experts state that dogs should be bred at certain times during the female's estrus, not at particular times of day. Dog breeder Ann Seranne suggests that the best time to mate a pair of dogs depends on when the female is receptive, generally starting at nine to 11 days following the start of bleeding during her season. Time of day is generally not a consideration when breeding dogs.

It May Make a Difference

Older stud dogs may benefit from being bred in the evening.

The German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia suggests that older male dogs be bred "during the cool of evening and not at all during excessively hot weather." An animal's body temperature may also have an effect on fertility, in that sperm either die or do not form in higher temperatures. Given that a mammal's body temperature rises during the course of the day, some breeders suggest scheduling matings for the morning hours.

Bottom Line

For many stud dogs, it doesn't matter what time of day they are bred, as long as proper breeding management skills are used. It is probably best to select a relatively stress-free time of day in order to give the litter the best chance of implanting. It is also advisable to be consistent to ensure that sperm has sufficient time to regenerate.

References

• The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog; Ann Seranne, 2004
• German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia; Infertility in the Male Dog; Dr Karen Hedberg BVSc, 2007